Interpretation displays or signs for phenology programs - looking for examples

[Sarah Treanor Bois]

Hello,

I am repeating this question I posted last spring because we got some grant money to execute more outreach for our phenology program. I am working on the content, but interested if anyone would be willing to share examples of signage or interpretive materials for their site. Thanks again all! 

Where I work we collect phenology data for research purposes as well as involving interns, school groups, and volunteers in the data collection. We do a lot with classes and independent projects for students.However, I am working on ways to add more interpretive signage or other ideas to involve the visitors to our land trust that we don't directly interact with. We have some basic info out for now about phenology, but I would love to see ideas from others about how you incorporate your own data into your visuals on-site.

Below are two ideas I have that I haven't executed. Full disclosure; I am a scientist and science communicator, but artistic ventures are not my strong suit.

#1: an interactive phenology calendar. A physical representation of a few of our study plants as well as birds and an insect from our property that we have data for. With a visual of the normal distribution of one phenophase, we can then have a physical slider for what this year's observation is. For example, when osprey return to their nest on our property. We have a normal distribution of when they normally arrive and then we have when they arrived this year. Similar for bloom time for low bush blueberries. *Not sure I'm describing this well. It lives in my head!

#2: a demonstration garden in front of our office. Planting natives or popular garden plants in the beds in front of the office with links to collecting phenology info on them. We have avoided this with the research plants to keep the data more accurate. Having other plants in one area with signage could be a good focal spot.

I'm looking forward to hearing more ideas. Happy to convene a zoom if there is interest. I'd love to see photos as well!

Thanks all!

Sarah Bois

--

Sarah T. Bois, PhD

Director of Research and Education

Linda Loring Nature Foundation

P.O. Box 149

110 Eel Point Road

Nantucket, MA 02554

Phone: 508-325-0873

Mobile: 508-560-0683

Website: www.llnf.org